A Better Solution for Fertility Benefits

Today, 1 in 8 couples experience an infertility diagnosis. Many couples will turn to assisted reproductive technology (ART) when they have difficulty conceiving. In 2015 (the most recent year reported), the number of IVF cycles reached an all-time high at 231,936 cycles, according to the CDC. FertilityIQ recently surveyed over 10,000 U.S. IVF patients and found that the cost of IVF including medications totaled over $20,000 per cycle, and that most patients needed at least two cycles during treatment. That’s nearly equivalent to the average U.S. household income of $51,000. Who is paying for this fertility treatment?

Mostly, It’s the Patient Who Pays

Over 60 percent of patients and employees surveyed by FertilityIQ had no coverage for fertility treatment. That means patients are paying more than $40,000 out of pocket to attempt to have a child. At the other end of the scale, 20 percent of patients received complete insurance coverage of all their costs. The remaining people had some portion of their costs covered by their companies’ insurance plan.

Providing a Competitive Edge

Industries that are highly competitive and depend on recruiting and retaining highly talented individuals are more likely to provide coverage for fertility treatment. Technology companies came in first in FertilityIQ’s industry rankings, followed by consulting and audit, banking and finance, and media and publishing. Some firms offer fertility coverage worth over $100,000 per employee. Yet in industries like banking, LGBTQ employees have had difficulty accessing coverage due to requirements to demonstrate they have tried heterosexual intercourse to get pregnant, according to the survey.

What This Means for Employers

FertilityIQ found that the number of U.S. companies offering an IVF benefit grew by 10 percent in 2017. Why would employers do this? Employee recruitment, loyalty and retention are increasingly important for many companies. The cost of turnover is prohibitive, especially in highly competitive industries. And fertility coverage is more in demand for people in their 30s and 40s. In another recent survey more than 70 percent of millennials said they would change jobs to access fertility benefits.

At the recently held national meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), fertility coverage for employees was a significant subject under discussion. Sean Tipton, ASRM’s Chief Advocacy, Policy and Development Officer stated “the decision to cover fertility treatments does not lie with the insurance companies. Employers make that decision…Most insurances companies would offer it if their customers – the employers – push for it.” Clearly, US employers are beginning to respond to the needs of their employees.

A Better Solution for Fertility Benefits

WINFertility has been successfully managing fertility benefits for two decades, covering more than 70 million members, and has compiled over 500,000,000 member months of data, the largest quality benchmark database in the entire industry.

Our comprehensive fertility solutions give employer groups the ability to select from an employer-paid or voluntary program and the flexibility to customize their own individual plan. Additionally, our IVF treatments are accessible to members of the LGBT population and singles who want to have families. WIN’s managed care program includes benefit design, adoption and surrogacy education and coordination

for a free cost-saving analysis to see how much we can save your business.

WINFertility provides more people with access to better fertility coverage at a fraction of the cost.

Social Share

Medical Disclaimer

The information contained in or made available through this site cannot replace or substitute for the services of trained professionals in the medical field. You should consult a physician in all matters relating to your health, particularly concerning any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

Featured FertilityCoachSM Nurses

Seeing so many couples desperate to become parents, willing to do anything to have a family motivated me to become a fertility nurse. Read More...

Name :
Molly Voytek

Molly gained experience in IVF as a clinical nurse at Greenwich Fertility for over two years, and prior to that was a nurse at Bridgeport Hospital. Read More...

Name :
Monica

Monica has a great deal of insight into the IVF patient experience, not only from her 20-year nursing career, but as a former IVF patient herself.Read More...

Name :
Karen

Karen Tom finds the fertility specialty to be a fascinating area of medicine that is constantly growing in terms of science and education Read More...

Name :
Julissa

Throughout her journey as a fertility nurse, Julissa has bonded with her patients and made many friends. Julissa has more than five years of experience in the fertility specialty. Read More...

Name :
Viola

Viola has more than 10 years of nursing experience, including three years as an IVF nurse at New York University and three years as an IVF coordinator at Columbia University’s Center for Women’s Reproductive Care. Read More...

Name :
Kamini

Kamini is a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree from the Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing in NY. Even though the process of fertility treatment is clinical and scientific, Kamini says the potential for miraculous outcomes gives her hope. Read More...

Name :
Theresa

Theresa is a highly trained women’s health nurse practitioner and has been working in women’s health for more than 9 years. Theresa is a compassionate presence for the patients she works with at WINFertility. Read More...